UK’s Queen Elizabeth II has died at the age of 96
Al JazeeraElizabeth, one of the world’s longest-ruling monarchs in history, died at the age of 96 at Balmoral Castle in Scotland. “The King and The Queen Consort will remain at Balmoral this evening and will return to London tomorrow.” Elizabeth’s eldest son Charles, 73, automatically becomes king of the United Kingdom and the head of state of 14 other realms including Australia, Canada and New Zealand. “Today the crown passes as it has done for more than 1,000 years to our new monarch, our new head of state, His Majesty King Charles III,” she said, adding: “We must come together as a people to support him, to help him bear the awesome responsibility that he now carries for us all.” The Queen died peacefully at Balmoral this afternoon. “As the United Kingdom’s longest-lived and longest-reigning Head of State, Queen Elizabeth II was widely admired for her grace, dignity, and dedication around the world,” said the UN’s Secretary-General Antonio Guterres. “She was a reassuring presence throughout decades of sweeping change, including the decolonisation of Africa and Asia and the evolution of the Commonwealth,” European Council President Charles Michel spoke fondly of the queen’s “lasting values”.